Results 1,621-1,640 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I have taken time to elaborate on how the staffing schedule operates because I am concerned that anyone picking individual cases in isolation and out of context could cause unnecessary concern. Budget 2008 provided my Department with â¬4.6 billion or an additional â¬380 million for teacher pay and pensions. This was a substantial additional investment, given the economic environment on...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: It covers the additional teachers that went into schools last September for the previously announced reduction to a 27:1 based staffing schedule with additional teachers this school year and in the coming school year to meet increasing enrolments, provide for special needs and meet the language requirements of newcomer children.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: I am sure the House will agree that it was appropriate to continue to prioritise resources for those with special needs and the language requirements of newcomer childrenââ
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: ââand to meet increasing enrolments generally as well as the needs of rapidly developing areas by providing additional school places. In making choices within available resources, these were the correct choices to make in terms of our priorities. However, in terms of the overall commitment to provide at least 4,000 additional teachers over the five-year life of the programme for...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: All programme for Government commitments to improve public services, including those relating to class size, are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. Even since the presentation of budget 2008 last December, the external and domestic environment has altered significantly.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: In that context any reasonable observer would regard the fact that the Government has taken measures that will result in the allocation of more than 2,000 additional teachers to primary schools as a considerable investment.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: While the programme indicated a specific timeline regarding further changes to the staffing schedule to reduce class sizes, it was not possible to move further in the current year.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The Government wants to maintain its focus on measures that can improve the quality of education in our primary schools and, ultimately, to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children. I am mindful of the need to continue to make progress on the schools building programme and I am anxious to improve the general funding position of primary schools through...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Deputy Hayes and his party cannot have it both ways.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Fine Gael cannot argue for the sound management of public expenditure and at the same time argue for additional money for the topic of the day.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Good management of public expenditure means identifying priorities and making choices within the resources available and not flip-flopping like Fine Gael, abandoning responsible management.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: Within the terms of the current staffing arrangements for primary schools, there is also provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30 September of the school...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: There has been a particular focus in recent years on improving services for children with autism. In the past year alone, approximately 100 additional special classes for autistic children were set up, bringing the total number to almost 280. In addition, my Department has also, in consultation with educational interests, developed a model of general teacher allocation for pupils in the...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: To conclude, it is important not to lose sight of the wider picture of the range of improvements that have been made. Teacher numbers at primary level have increased significantly. Additional resources have been provided both within the classroom and also by way of additional supports in areas such as language support and special education. We will continue our focus on measures to improve...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Motion (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: It was 30 pupils short of the required complement.
- Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations. In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department,...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school in question is SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan, Co Offaly. The further progression of the project will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the...
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The school in question is the Convent of Mercy National School, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois. The further progression of the project will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative...
- Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (27 May 2008)
Batt O'Keeffe: The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30th September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year. Data submitted to my Department by the Board of Management of the school referred to by the...